AUTO LETTERS.

Warranty greener across the border

July 22, 2001|By Jim Mateja, Tribune auto reporter.

Q. I was recently in Canada and was surprised to see Chrysler advertising that all its products come with a five-year/100,000-kilometer drivetrain warranty at no extra charge. Roadside assistance is included for five years/100,000 kilometers, too. This is on top of a three-year/60,000-kilometer bumper-to-bumper warranty, like they offer in the U.S. (three years/36,000 miles). As a recent buyer of a 2001 Town & Country, I wasn't happy to see our Canadian friends get a better deal (gee, free health care, too!). Anyway, I thought you might like to delve into this story. S.E., Chicago

A. We called Chrysler and was told that in the 2000 model year the automaker began adding two years/40,000 kilometers to its normal warranty to come up with a five-year/100,000-kilometer (roughly 60,000 miles) drivetrain warranty and 5/100,000 roadside assistance at no extra charge on the subcompact Neon in Canada.

Small Japanese economy cars sell very well there, and Chrysler opted to use a more extensive warranty to better compete against the Japanese. The ploy worked, and for 2001, Chrysler expanded the coverage to its entire lineup.

We also were told that Chrysler isn't the only automaker using warranties to attract business. Chevy offers extra coverage on its subcompact Cavalier and Lincoln on selected luxury cars sold in Canada. Before your jealousy gets the best of you, bet most Canadians would be willing to trade you their longer warranties for your lower taxes.

Q. Lately I have noticed more and more the presence of ramming-type devices on the front end of SUVs and light trucks. What is their purpose? N.I.G., Crystal Lake

A. The devices you've spotted are battering rams. SUV owners use them as shields from those who need to get a life and quit whining that sport-utes (and smokers) are the cause of all the world's ills. Too bad all the people complaining about SUVs don't direct their energy toward real problems--like the homeless and hungry.

Q. I disagree with your Best Buys (Transportation, June 24) picks. While your assessment of the cars was somewhat accurate, I honestly feel you chose losers, cars that aren't selling or shouldn't be selling. You should have added the Audi A4, Volkswagen Passat and VW Jetta TDI. My only guess is that you like American garbage and love Korean cars. W.T., Chicago

A. Suspect you would have loved a Best Buys list that read like a VW catalog. Considering the Toyota Camry is the best-selling vehicle in the market, the Ford Focus is selling like gangbusters and the Chrysler PT Cruiser and Ford Escape are in short supply and high demand, your view that the vehicles noted aren't selling is, well, more than a little inaccurate. Or do you count in German?

Q. Enjoyed your Best Buys picks though I don't agree with all of them. I would have left off the Hyundai Santa Fe as too darn ugly and the Buick LeSabre for being a dinosaur. And I would have added the VW Passat. I agree the Jeep Liberty is an excellent choice, but you said it "propels you passed the filling station" rather than "past the filling station." T.S., Dallas

A. "Passed" is the spelling in Korean, the country we love so well. By the way, even a dinosaur needs a hug now and then.

Q. The PT Cruiser a Best Buy? It's ugly. G.H., Waukegan

A. It wasn't a beauty contest--and to most folks Cruiser is rather attractive, the reason Chrysler can't build enough to meet demand.

Q. Why South Korean cars on the list? C.V., Chicago

A. Because the XG300 and Santa Fe represent a lot of vehicle for the money.

Q. I plan to buy a new minivan soon. I'm considering the Chrysler Town & Country or Ford Windstar. Will Windstar be changed soon? J.V., Prospect Heights

A. The T&C was redone for 2001; the Windstar had minor freshening for 2001. Though Windstar will add stability control this fall, it won't get a major styling change for '02.

Q. Will the Lexus RX300 be redesigned for 2002? W.W., Chicago

A. The RX300, Lexus' best-selling vehicle, is based on a platform shared with the Toyota Camry/Lexus ES300, both of which are redesigned for '02. However, the RX300 probably won't be redesigned until the '03 model year.